Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden, Natural zoological garden in Oita, Japan
Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a zoo at the foot of Mount Takasakiyama in Oita Prefecture, where Japanese macaques live in a forested environment. The area extends across slopes, allowing the animals to move freely among trees and rocks.
The site opened in March 1953 under the direction of Tamotsu Ueda to present wild Japanese macaques in a natural setting. Since then, the place has become a center for observing free-roaming primate behavior.
The primates organize themselves into two separate groups with their own leaders, visible during feeding or resting times. Visitors watch animals behaving as their wild relatives do in the mountains of Japan, with grooming, play, and occasional disputes.
The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the monkeys are most active. A monorail takes visitors from the entrance to the viewing platform, offering views over Beppu Bay along the way.
The facility counts 922 Japanese macaques as of January 2024, split between group B with 643 animals and group C with 279 individuals. These numbers change throughout the year due to births and natural departures.
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